Key case



1965 D. B. RUBENSTEIN I 3,

' 7 KEY CASE Filed Feb. 4, 1964 6 4A INVENTOR.

DAVID BRUBENSTEIN ATTORNE United States Patent 3,294,137 KEY CASE DavidB. Rubenstein, Dorset Road, Pawtucket, RI. 02860 Filed Feb. 4, 1964,Ser. No. 342,358 10 Claims. (Cl. 15040) My present invention relates toa key case and a novel method of maintaining the keys therein.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a key casewhich will hold a plurality of keys in a flat plane without unduebulkiness.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a key case inwhich the keys may be divided so that only those keys in particular usemay be exposed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a key case havinga separate compartment for either lesser used keys or for removablekeys.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a key case inwhich a plurality of keys are so arranged that they will lie flatwithout bulging the case.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a key case havinga hook construction which tends to hold the keys in fiat position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel key casehaving a double slide mechanism which permits the keys to be produced inupright position regardless of the position of the case.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel key casehaving the above advantages which is simple in construction and easy andeconomical to manufacture and assemble.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view myinvention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosedin the detailed description following in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and more particularly defined in the appendedclaims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a key case embodying my presentinvention with one side of the case in open position.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the key case substantiallyon line 2-2 of FIG. 1, but with the case in closed and fastenedcondition.

FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the key hooks.

FIG. 4A is an end view of one of the hooks showing the position of a keythereon.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one side of the key caseshowing an alternative construction.

The average householder is forced to carry a considerable number ofkeys. Beside keys to the front and rear doors of the house and possiblyto an oflice, the householder must carry keys to the car, keys to thegarage, keys to his desk and numerous other keys. As a result theaverage small key case is usually bulging at the seams. The standardsize small key case is provided with six or seven hooks and theconventional method is to hang more than one key on a particular hook inorder to have the case hold all the keys. However, the applicant hasfound that while the householder finds it necessary to carry all thesekeys, only a particular group of these keys are in frequent use, forexample, the keys to the front door, ofiice door, automobile, garage,etc. The present invention is designed to provide a key case, no largerthan the standard key case construction but which permits the user todivide the keys into two groups, one frequently used and one lessfrequently used, to separate these groups into separate accessiblepositions, and to provide a construction which will permit the maximumnumber of keys to be held with a minimum amount of bulging.

Referringmore in detail to the drawings illustrating my invention, Iprovide a conventional type of key case 10 which comprises two sectionsof suitable material 11 and 12 integrally hinged to each other. Thematerial of the case is preferably a soft pliable material such asleather or plastic. The contiguous edges of the sections 11 and 12 areprovided with suitable teeth 13 of a standard slide fastener which canbe closed by means of the conventional slides 14 and 15. Viewing FIG. 1,when the slide 14 is slipped around the edge of the sections 11 and 12,the teeth 13 will be in closed position. In this position the slides 14and 15 will be separated by the hinged portion of the case. Nowwhichever end of the closed case is turned upwardly, a slide ispositioned in the upper position whether it is 14 or 15 and permits theuser to move the slide downwardly to open the case and upwardly to closeit. The advantages of such a construction will be hereinafter described.

Now referring to FIG. 1, a conventional elongated slotted holding member16 is riveted or otherwise mounted to one end of the section 11 and isdesigned to hold the key hooks 17 in a conventional manner. In order toallow the keys to lie flat, each key hook 17 is constructed as shown inthe enlarged view in FIG. 4. It is contemplated that only a single keybe positioned on each hook and therefore the hooks can be made ofslightly thinner material than that normally used. Each hook comprises ashank 15; having an enlarged head 19 for positioning in the slots of themember 16. The other end of the shank 18 is formed into a loop 20terminating in a spring finger 21 for snapping the keys into the hooks.However, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the lower end of the loop is in astraight instead of a rounded line, and is provided with a horizontaltwist 22 which allows both the key and the hook to lie flat and tooccupy a minimum of space (see FIG. 4A). This contributes to thethinness of the key case. The keys 23 are positioned on the hooks 17 asillustrated in FIG. 1 and lie fiat in overlapping relation in the usualmanner. At a point midway along the outer edge of the portion 11, Iprovide a male snap member 24 for purposes hereinafter to be described.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the key case shown in FIG. 1 in closedposition. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the portion 12 is also provided witha slotted member 25 holding key books 26 and keys 27. However, as can beseen in FIG. 2, the hooks 26 and the member 25 are on the opposite endfrom that in the member 11 so that in closed position they are onopposite ends of the key case. With such a construction the keys extendin opposite directions from each set of hooks. Since the heaviest partof the metal is at the point where the hooks are held in the members 16,by separating each set of members 16 and 25, the key case can be closedflat as shown in FIG. 2 without bulging. Furthermore with such aconstruction double the amount of keyscan be held in the case withoutexcessive bulging. I now provide a central wall portion 28 mounted inthe hinged portion between the members 11 and 12 and acting as aseparating wall between the two halves. The central wall portion isprovided at its outer edge with a pair of female snap fastening elements29 and 30 facing in opposite directions. The element 29 is adapted tosnap on to the male element 24 as shown in FIG. 1, whereas the element30 is adapted to snap over a similar male element on the member 12. Inthe position shown in FIG. 1, the keys on the portion 11 are in exposedposition whereas the keys in the portion 12 are retained in upside downposition by the central member 28 snapped in place. If the centralmember 28 were not there, then the keys in the member 12 would falldownwardly and hang outside of the key case.

In use it is contemplated that the two slide elements 14 and 15 would becolored dilferently for quick identification. When the slide element 14is at the top, it is pulled downwardly to open the case into theposition shown in FIG. 1. It is contemplated that for example in thisposition the keys 23 are those which would be most used. However, if itis desired to use the keys 27, then the case is held with the slidefastener 15 in uppermost position and when this is pulled downwardly thecase will open with the keys 27 exposed and with the central wallportion snapped over the keys 23. The above construction thus provides athin hook with the proper curvature to allow the keys to lie fiat. Thedouble opposed rows of keys permits the use of half the keys andprovides a closure flap over the unused keys. The use of a pair ofzipper slides allows the keys from either side to be opened in uprightposition with the color of the slides acting as identification of eachgroup.

If desired two separate flap members may be provided instead of thesingle central member 28. Thus each individual set of keys will have itsown closure flap. These may be of transparent plastic material.Furthermore as an alternative construction, the keys in the portion 12may be hung on the type of member shown in FIG. In this form I provide astrip of leather, plastic or other suitable material 31 having a centralportion 32 holding a plurality of key hooks 33. In this form illustratedthere are two key hooks shown but the central portion may be providedwith three or more if desired. Each end of the strip 31 is provided witha female snap fastener member 34 adapted to snap over male fastenermembers, not shown, mounted in the portion 12. With this construction, aset of car and garage keys can be put on the removable portion 31 andretained separately from the regular keys. If the user wishes to loanthe car keys to some other person, it is merely necessary to open theother section of the key case and snap off the strip 31 carrying the carkeys. They can then be returned to position late-r on. It iscontemplated that these are for the extra car keys. Thus, the extra setof keys in the second section held in closed position by the flap 28 mayeither be identical to the first section as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2and 3, or may be a removable set as illustrated in FIG. 5.

I have thus provided a key case construction which permits the mountingof a large number of keys without undue bulging of the key case. Also,the construction of the present invention permits a separation betweenthe keys that are used most frequently and the keys that are not usedtoo frequently so that the user need not grope among large quantities ofkeys for the particular key he needs. Other advantages of the presentinvention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A key case comprising a pair of rectangular members in hingedrelation to each other, means for releasably locking said members inedge to edge relation to close said case, a wall portion hingedlymounted at said case hinge and extending between said members, the freeedge of said wall portion being adapted to lock adjacent the free edgeof either of said members, and means for suspending a plurality of keysfrom each of said members, said key suspending means being at oppositeends of said case to suspend said keys toward each other.

2. A key case comprising a pair of rectangular members in hingedrelation to each other, means for releasably locking said members inedge to edge relation to close said case, a wall portion hingedlymounted at said case hinge and extending between said members, the freeedge of said wall portion being adapted to lock adjacent the free edgeof either of said members, and means for suspending a plurality of keysfrom each of said members, said members being integrally hinged to eachother and said members being locked in edge to edge relation by acontinuous slide fastener, said slide fastener having a pair of slidesoperating from opposite ends of said fastener.

3. A key case comprising a pair of rectangular members in hingedrelation to each other, means for releasably locking said members inedge to edge relation to close said case, a wall portion hingedlymounted at said case hinge and extending between said members, the freeedge of said wall portion being adapted to lock adjacent the free edgeof either of said members, and means for suspending a plurality of keysfrom each of said members, said key suspension means including swivelhooks having straight ends, said ends being offset at the centralportion permitting the keys to lie flat.

4. A key case comprising a pair of rectangular members in hingedrelation to each other, means for releasably locking said members inedge to edge relation to close said case, a wall portion hingedlymounted at said case 'hinge and extending between said members, the freeedge of said wall portion being adapted to lock adjacent the free edgeof either of said members, and means for suspending a plurality of keysfrom each of said members, said members being integrally hinged to eachother and said members being locked in edge to edge relation by acontinuous slide fastener, said key suspending means being at oppositeends of said case to suspend said keys toward each other.

5. A key case comprising a pair of rectangular members in hingedrelation to each other, means for releasably locking said members inedge to edge relation to close said case, a wall portion hingedlymounted at said case hinge and extending between said members, the freeedge of said wall portion being adapted to lock adjacent the free edgeof either of said members, and means for suspending a plurality of keysfrom each of said members, said members being integrally hinged to eachother and said members being locked in edge to edge relation by acontinuous slide fastener, said key suspending means being at oppositeends of said case to suspend said keys toward each other, one of saidkey suspending means being releasably mounted in said case.

6. A key case comprising a pair of rectangular members in hingedrelation to each other, means for releasably locking said members inedge to edge relation to close said case, a wall portion hingedlymounted at said case hinge and extending between said members, the freeedge of said wall portion being adapted to lock adjacent the free edgeof either of said members, and means for suspending a plurality of keysfrom each of said members, said members being integrally hinged to eachother and said members being locked in edge to edge relation by acontinuous slide fastener, said key suspending means being at oppositeends of said case to suspend said keys toward each other, said slidefastener having a pair of slides operating from opposite ends of saidfastener.

7. A key case comprising a pair of rectangular members in hingedrelation to each other, means for releasably locking said members inedge to edge relation to close said case, a wall portion hingedlymounted at said case hinge and extending between said members, the freeedge of said wall portion being adapted to lock adjacent the free edgeof either of said members, and means for suspending a plurality of keysfrom each of said members, said members being integrally hinged to eachother and said members being locked in edge to edge relation by acontinuous slide fastener, said key suspending means being at oppositeends of said case to suspend said keys toward each other, one of saidkey suspending means be ing releasably mounted in said case, said slidefastener having a pair of slides operating from opposite ends of saidfastener.

8. A key case comprising a pair of rectangular members in hingedrelation to each other, means for releasably locking said members inedge to edge relation to close said case, a wall portion hingedlymounted at said case hinge and extending between said members, the

free edge of said wall portion being adapted to lock adjacent the freeedge of said members, and means for suspending a plurality of keys fromeach of said members, said key suspending means being at opposite endsof said case to suspend said keys toward each other, said wall portioncomprising a pair of rectangular members, one for each key section.

9. A key case comprising a pair of rectangular members in hingedrelation to each other, means for releasably locking said members inedge to edge relation to close said case, a wall portion hingedlymounted at said case hinge and extending between said members, the freeedge of said wall portion being adapted to lock adjacent the free edgeof said members, and means for suspending a plurality of keys from eachof said members, said key suspending means being at opposite ends ofsaid case to suspend said keys toward each other, one of said keysuspending means being releasably mounted in said case, said wallportion comprising a pair of rectangular members, one for each keysection.

10. A key case comprising a pair of rectangular members in hingedrelation to each other, means for releasably locking said members inedge to edge relation to close said case, a wall portion hingedlymounted at said case hinge and extending between said members, the freeedge of said wall portion being adapted to lock adjacent the free edgeof said members, and means for suspending a plurality of keys from eachof said members, said members being integrally hinged to each other andsaid members being locked in edge to edge relation by a continuous slidefastener, said key suspending means being at opposite ends of said caseto suspend said keys toward each other, said slide fastener having apair of slides operating from opposite ends of said fastener, said wallportion comprising a pair of rectangular members, one for each keysection.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,705,149 3/1929Brady. 1,756,627 4/1930 Brewer 15040 1,924,134 8/1933 Seg-al 704562,032,408 3/1936 Gardner ISO- 2,261,291 11/1941 Salavsky. 2,305,36312/1942 Wege 15040 2,556,066 6/1951 Cline 150-34 2,712,844 7/1955 Glasset a1. 15040 2,875,803 3/1959 Greene et a1. 150-40 2,968,176 1/1961Collings 456 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,317 1 1/ 1877 Great Britain. 645,606 11/1950 Great Britain.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Examiner.

M. L. MINSK, Assistant Examiner.

1. A KEY CASE COMPRISING A PAIR OF RECTANGULAR MEMBERS IN HINGEDRELATION TO EACH OTHER, MEANS FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID MEMBERS INEDGE TO EDGE RELATION TO CLOSE SAID CASE, A WALL PORTION HINGEDLYMOUNTED AT SAID CASE HINGE AND EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS, THE FREEEDGE OF SAID WALL PORTION BEING ADAPTED TO LOCK ADJACENT THE FREE EDGEOF EITHER OF SAID MEMBERS, AND MEANS FOR SUSPENDING